A circuit from the Ulpha/Birker fell road to Devoke Water and into Eskdale, returning via Stanley Ghyll water falls

9miles 1700ft

I parked on the Birker fell road at the junction where tracks go east to Stanley Ghyll & west to Devoke water

Looking back to the western fells as I walked up the gentle climb towards Devoke water....

....and again

Arriving at Devoke water....

....and looking back to the road where I was parked

Devoke water again

Looking to Water Crag (top right) my route ahead

Now on Water Crag summit 1000ft

Looking down to Brantrake Moss with Eskdale beyond

Starting the descent....

....and now looking back to Water Crag

From Brantrake Moss an excellent series of zig zags on the bridle way lead down into Eskdale

Looking down on Field Head...

....and after the rest of the descent I arrived at Eskdale Green station on the Ravenglass & Eskdale steam railway for a bench to have my morning coffee & flap jack!!

Leaving the station I crossed the suspension footbridge over the river Esk....

....and again

I continued east along the side of the river until I came to....

Stanley Ghyll lower falls from where....

....I walked up the ghyll to the viewing platform (See top left of this photo)....

....a family was just leaving as I arrived....

....it really is a dizzing experience! The views down to the falls are the best of  any falls in Lakeland in my opinion!

looking over the side the drop is over 150ft or 46 metres 

....and again

Now looking out over Eskdale....

....and finally climbing away from the Ghyll back up to where I was parked....I was recently given a book of short walks to Lakeland waterfalls. With a little planning to lengthen it this turned out to be great a walk taking in Stanley Ghyll falls which I'd never before explored

 A High Cup Nick Circuit in the North Pennines 

9.5miles 1950ft

Setting off from the village of Dufton

Looking back down the path towards Dufton

Dufton Pike from the path up Peeping hill

Zooming in on the village of Dufton

Arriving on the west side of 'the nick' where some wild ponies were happily grazing....

....and again

looking back south with Murton Pike above 'the nick'

Looking to the head of 'the Cup'....

....and again

The rock pinnacle named Nichol's chair named after the local cobbler who reputably not only climbed it but repaired a pair of boots on it's top!!!?

Looking down the length of 'the Nick'

After leaving High Cup Nick I climbed up to the cairn on the high point of Backstone Edge 2211ft....

....and continued along the Edge to Great Rundale.... 

....which was once the site of much mining activity

Dufton Pike stands at the bottom of the valley

There is plenty of evidence of the mining activity

Looking back up the valley....

.....and down it again

Dufton village comes into view again lower down

Finally back at my car in the little carpark in Dufton village.

I've never ceased to tire of climbing High Cup Nick since I first arrived at it from Teesdale when walking the Pennine Way some years ago.

Always a very enjoyable day's outing

 Conwy to Penmaenmawr via Conwy Mountain, Penmaen bach, Alt Wen, & Foel lus. 8.5miles 2550ft

This photo from last week shows this week's ridge walk

After parking in Conwy I first had a look at the impressive Conwy castle....

....and harbour area of Conwy with my first climb to Conwy mountain behind....

....and the Conwy estuary

I then started the first climb of the day up Conwy mountain

Ascending through woodland....

....and taking a look back at the sunrise

Passing the distinctive rocky outcrop just below the ssummit

The estuary again with Degynwy on the other side....

....and Great Orme & Llandudno

Continuing along the ridge....

Looking south to Tal Y Fan the only 2000ft mountain in this area

One of the many static caravan sites along the coast

Penmaen Bach, the next climb ahead

Great Orme from the col between the two tops

Now on Penmaen bach with the unpronounceable Dwygyfylch below!

Dwygyfylch again with my destination Penmaenmawr behind

Now on the top Alt Wen ....

....heading for Foel Lus across the valley the last climb of the day

 The village of  Capelulo which I passed through shortly after ....

.....on the way to climbing to the summit of Foel Lus 1188ft with.... 

.....Penmaenmawr below.....

.....and again

Looking back to Foel Lus from the main street as I waited for a bus back to Conwy....

....and a stroll round sound of its landmarks including the castle here..

....and the impressive old suspension bridge....

....and again

 The harbour area....

....and a final look across the Conwy estuary to Degynwy and the Great Orme

Today's walk and last week's had made a great combination to look ahead and then look back at two great walks in perfect weather.

If not yet visited I highly recommend a vist to both!!